Summary

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data was collected from over 300 individuals to further understand the hypothesized spread of Penutian populations from the Columbian Plateau into Central California around 5,000 BP. While living and ethnographic Ohlone groups- specifically in the San Francisco Bay area- speak Penutian languages, it is unclear what effect immigrating Penutians speakers had on existing Hokan populations between 2500-3000 BP. Distinct maternal lineages that belong to either immigrating Pro-Utian speaking peoples, or to Hokan populations who lived in the area for more than 7,000 years, have been identified and indicates intermarriage post migration. Bayesian analysis further suggests a major population expansion within the region.